How many times have we seen the scene? Galway a point or two adrift, a ship needing steadying and Carrie Dolan standing over the ball in that trademark stance of her; the lift, the strike, the white flag.
In the topsy-turvy semi-final against Tipperary on a warm day in Nowlan Park last month, she was called into action again for two key scores. First the one that brought Galway back to within a point; the other for the winner on a day when the margins were so tight.
Without doubt, there will be situations on Sunday at Croke Park that will require the coolness to be unpacked again and used effectively. Carrie is no stranger to the big occasions. Indeed, in her last winning final, she contributed handsomely with six scores from frees.
In that win against Cork in 2021, Galway were at odds for some of it; were it not for Dolan's donation to the cause, the team could have been staring at back to back final defeats, following the winter capitulation in an almost empty Croke Park win December 2020.
The contrast between the 2020 final on a foggy damp night in the capital and the colourful summery scenes of 2019 and 2021 could not be greater. She played well in that winter final. One move in particular which spanned the length of the pitch led to a classic score, her fourth of that night.
Memories of that December reverse were exorcised with Dolan's performance against Cork the next summer.
Dolan is the niece of Galway great and 2013 All-Ireland winner, Therese Maher But while Therese had to endure years of heartache before finally lifting the O’Duffy Cup, Dolan has already enjoyed All-Ireland success twice at just 24 years of age. And she has played a vital role in both triumphs.
She was Galway’s top-scorer in the 2021 final while in the 2019 decider against Kilkenny, the Clarinbridge star chalked up another six-point tally. Five of her scores came from frees on that occasion, while the other point was a ’45.
Dolan has been a prominent feature in Galway camogie throughout the underage ranks, playing in four All-Ireland finals across U16 and minor level.
She was first called into the Galway senior panel in 2016, but would have to wait until 2018 before earning a chance to make an impression. She immediately went about proving her worth as she was entrusted with the free-taking responsibilities for the Tribeswomen.
And as we saw in Kilkenny two weeks ago, she still performs that job with distinction for her county.
After watching the last two finals from home, she told me that it was some relief to get back to the decider once again.
"The last time were there was in 2021, losing two semifinal was disappointing, so it was great to get over Tipp the last day."
Has she nerves of steel for such pressure frees?
"You set yourself down and go through the same routine. You can't think about it very much, but I was absolutely delighted when it went over.
She acknowledged that her opponents on Sunday will be favoured for the title.
"Cork will be raging hot favourites and we will be the underdogs, but we will go into that game with the same attitude we apply to every game," she said.
Carrie welcomed the interest in the team shown by the large attendance at the open training session at Athenry last week.
"It is wonderful to see this. In 2013, we were inspired by that team. We are just hoping to do the same and inspire the next generation of Galway All-Ireland winners," she said.
